Savory Greek kalamata and rosemary yeast bread made into a vanilla and cardamom-scented French Toast.
Prep Time 1 hourhour50 minutesminutes
Cook Time 40 minutesminutes
Total Time 2 hourshours30 minutesminutes
Servings 3servings
Ingredients
For the Olive-Rosemary Bread
1packageactive dry yeast
½cupwarm water105°-115°
2teaspoonssugar
2tablespoonsolive oil
1cupwarm milk105°-115°
6ounceskalamata olivespitted, chopped
2 ½cupsall-purpose flour
1cupwhole wheat flour
1tablespoonfinely chopped fresh rosemary
2teaspoonssalt
For the Olive-Rosemary French Toast
6slicesOlive-Rosemary bread3/4-inch thick
4eggs
1cupmilk
3tablespoonstblsp sugar
1teaspoonvanilla
¼teaspoonground cardamom
2tablespoonsbutter
3tablespoonspowdered sugar
Instructions
Make the Olive-Rosemary Bread
Combine yeast, sugar and water and set aside for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the proofed yeast, olive oil, milk, olives, all-purpose and whole wheat flours, rosemary and salt. Stir until a rough dough is formed.
Turn dough out on a well-floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes or until dough is elastic and pliable incorporating up to 1/2 cup more flour as needed to prevent dough from sticking.
Place the dough into a large, well-oiled bowl and turn so that the top of the dough picks up oil from the bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Punch the dough down and divide into two equal pieces. Shape the dough into rounds and place on an oiled baking pan. Cut an “X” in the top of each loaf.
Cover and allow to rise for an additional 30 minutes or until nearly doubled in size again.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Bake until loaves are browned and sound hollow when tapped. Approximately 35-40 minutes.
The French toast is best made a day after making the bread.
Make the Olive-Rosemary French Toast
In a shallow bowl or pan large enough to fit an entire slice of Olive-Rosemary bread, combine eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cardamom. Whisk until well combined.
Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter to skillet.
Dip bread slices two at a time into the egg mixture for about 15 seconds per side – enough time for the bread to absorb some of the egg mixture but not become soaked through.
When the butter has melted, place the prepared bread slices into the skillet.
Cover the pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn slices over and repeat.
Remove to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm while cooking the remaining French toast.
Before serving, dust liberally with powdered sugar.